Does Everyone HaveA Right to His Own Belief?

Let the Bible Answer

A Common Response

Members of the church are often charged with religious bigotry and intolerance

When discussing moral or religious differences, many respond saying, “He has a right to his own belief…”

By “right,” they mean “one is granted the privilege of determining what he will believe”

Does Everyone Have a Right to His Own Belief?

Legally … Yes (in the eyes of man)

- Our U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights grant citizens many rights and freedoms (religion, speech, etc.)

- Amendment I: Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

Does Everyone Have a Right to His Own Belief?

Biblically … No (in the eyes of God)

- Our freedoms, rights and beliefs are to be controlled by a single standard, God’s word (Jn. 17:17; Rom. 10:14,17)

- A single standard is seen in the area of mathematics, measurements, etc.

- A single standard determines our “right”, not one’s own belief (Num. 15:39; Deut. 12:8; Judg. 17:6; 21:5)

Does Everyone Have a Right to His Own Belief?

Biblically … No (in the eyes of God)

- God is the Creator and we are the creatures; God is all-knowing and all-powerful (Rev. 4:11)

- Mankind is limited and does not always know the right way (Jer. 10:23; Prov. 14:25; 16:25; 20:24)

Does Everyone Have a Right to His Own Belief?

Adam and Eve did not (Gen. 3)

Cain did not (Gen. 4:3-5)

Nadab and Abihu did not (Lev. 10:1-2)

Moses did not (Num. 20:10-13)

Naaman did not (2 Kings 5:10-12)

Does Everyone Have a Right to His Own Belief?

Disobedient Jews did not (Acts 13:45-46)

Saul of Tarsus did not (Acts 26:9-10)

The unrighteous did not (2 Thess. 2:11)

False teachers did not (1 Tim. 1:3; 1 Jn. 4:1)

Does Everyone Have a Right to His Own Belief?

Those who say everyone has a right to believe what he wants…

- Are inconsistent

- Usually have an agenda

- Have no fixed standard to go by

- Do not want to be limited by a standard

- Must face the consequence of complete anarchy

Does Everyone Have a Right to His Own Belief?

All “rights” (authority) have been given to Jesus (Mt. 28:18)

As such everyone today must…

- Hear, believe and obey the gospel (Rom. 1:16)

- Be members of the NT Church (Mt. 16:18)

- Worship according to the NT (Jn. 4:24)

- Live their lives according to the NT (Eph. 4:1)